Leicester manager Nigel Pearson has defended Jamie Vardy against suggestions of cheating following his performance in the shock victory over Manchester United.

Vardy emerged as one of the central characters from the astonishing win at the King Power Stadium on Sunday three years to the day after he was playing non-league football with Fleetwood.

With City trailing 3-1, Vardy first won a penalty despite appearing to foul Rafael in the build up, to which the young Brazilian retaliated by conceding the spot-kick.

Jamie Vardy bagged a brace in last weekend's 5-3 win against Manchester United

Jamie Vardy takes a tumble a coming together with Manchester United defender Rafael

After the 27-year-old put the Foxes 4-3 up in the 79th minute, Vardy earned his side a second penalty four minutes later when brought down by Tyler Blackett, who also earned a red card for the challenge.

Leicester earned a reputation last season as penalty specialists en route to claiming the SkyBet Championship, converting 12 overall - many won by Vardy - with eight of those coming in the first 13 matches.

Asked about accusations of cheating regarding Vardy, Pearson said: 'There is going to be more scrutiny in the Premier League, no doubt about that.

Tyler Blackett was given his marching orders following this challenge on Jamie Vardy

'My view is - and if you want to use that word, fine by me - but the officials are there to do their job and they will give penalties as they see fit.

'Jamie won a lot of penalties last year, but he did so because of his aggression and pace which commits defenders.

'Players have to be very careful in terms of contact in the penalty box.

'I think the reason this is being brought up is because of the challenge (from Vardy on Rafael) before the first penalty.

'That's up to the referee to see that. If he thinks it is an offence then he will give it, likewise with the one in the box.

'I think you need to look at whether we need to bring technology in to help the officials, would be my answer to that.

'If you're asking me whether both were penalties, yeah, I think they were.

'It doesn't matter whether the referee missed one outside the box before that.'

Jamie Vardy's penalty sparked Leicester's revival at the King Power Stadium

On the back of emerging from an opening run of games that included clashes with Everton, Arsenal, Chelsea and United - as well as a trip to Stoke - that has yielded eight points, Pearson appreciates expectations have risen and now must be managed.

Ahead of a clash at Crystal Palace on Saturday, Pearson added: 'There is a danger with getting too excited about certain situations.

'But I'm very pleased with a performance that showed quality, and not just character, and reaped the rewards.

'I don't think the circumstances, as they panned out on the day, will happen too often.

'But the players have to take an awful lot of credit for their resilience with regard to the mental side of things.

Foxes boss Nigel Pearson has leapt to the defence of Jamie Vardy

'So I was very pleased for them and, if that changes people's perceptions of us, I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing.

'It is what it is, a very positive result, but elements on which we will need to build, and now we have to get ready for what will be just as tough a game at Crystal Palace.'

Pearson has no fresh injury concerns going into the game, with only defender Matthew Upson sidelined with an ankle problem.

Pearson has confirmed defender Zoumana Bakayogo - not named in the club's 25-man squad to the Premier League at the start of the season - is to undergo surgery next week on an anterior cruciate ligament injury.